Resposable pulse oximetry sensor

ABSTRACT

A pulse oximeter sensor has both a reusable and a disposable portion. The reusable portion of the sensor preserves the relatively long-lived and costly emitter, detector and connector components. The disposable portion of the sensor is the relatively inexpensive adhesive tape component that is used to secure the sensor to a measurement site, typically a patient&#39;s finger or toe. The disposable portion of the sensor is removably attached to the reusable portion in a manner that allows the disposable portion to be readily replaced when the adhesive is expended or the tape becomes soiled or excessively worn. The disposable portion may also contain an information element useful for sensor identification or for security purposes to insure patient safety. A conductive element that allows a pulse oximeter monitor to read the information element is located on the disposable portion in such a way that continuity is broken when the adhesive tape become torn, such as upon removal from the measurement site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to sensors for measuring oxygencontent in the blood, and, in particular, relates to resposable(reusable/disposable) sensors having an information element containedtherein.

2. Background

Early detection of low blood oxygen is critical in a wide variety ofmedical applications. For example, when a patient receives aninsufficient supply of oxygen in critical care and surgicalapplications, brain damage and death can result in just a matter ofminutes. Because of this danger, the medical industry developedoximetry, a study and measurement of the oxygen status of blood. Oneparticular type of oximetry, pulse oximetry, is a widely acceptednoninvasive procedure for measuring the oxygen saturation level ofarterial blood, an indicator of the oxygen status of the blood. A pulseoximeter relies on a sensor attached to a patient in order to measurethe blood oxygen saturation.

Conventionally, a pulse oximeter sensor has a red emitter, an infraredemitter, and a photodiode detector. The sensor is typically attached toa patient's finger, earlobe, or foot. For a finger, the sensor isconfigured so that the emitters project light through the outer tissueof the finger and into the blood vessels and capillaries containedinside. The photodiode is positioned at the opposite side of the fingerto detect the emitted light as it emerges from the outer tissues of thefinger. The photodiode generates a signal based on the emitted light andrelays that signal to an oximeter. The oximeter determines blood oxygensaturation by computing the differential absorption by the arterialblood of the two wavelengths (red and infrared) emitted by the sensor.

Conventional sensors are either disposable or reusable. A disposablesensor is typically attached to the patient with an adhesive wrap,providing a secure contact between the patient's skin and the sensorcomponents. A reusable sensor is typically a clip that is easilyattached and removed, or reusable circuitry that employs a disposableattachment mechanism, such as an adhesive tape or bandage. clip that iseasily attached and removed, or reusable circuitry that employs adisposable attachment mechanism, such as an adhesive tape or bandage.

The disposable sensor has the advantage of superior performance due toconformance of the sensor to the skin and the rejection of ambientlight. However, repeated removal and reattachment of the adhesive taperesults in deterioration of the adhesive properties and tearing of thetape. Further, the tape eventually becomes soiled and is a potentialsource of cross-patient contamination. The disposable sensor must thenbe thrown away, wasting the long-lived emitters, photodiode and relatedcircuitry.

On the other hand, the clip-type reusable sensor has the advantage ofsuperior cost savings in that the reusable pulse sensor does not wastethe long-lived and expensive sensor circuitry. However, as mentionedabove, the clip-type reusable sensor does not conform as easily todiffering patient skin shape, resulting in diminished sensitivity andincreased ambient light.

Similar to the clip-type reusable sensor, the circuit-type reusablesensor advantageously does not waste the sensor circuitry. On the otherhand, the circuit-type reusable sensor fails to provide quality controlover the attachment mechanism. Much like the disposable sensors, theattachment mechanism for the circuit-type reusable sensor may becomesoiled or damaged, thereby leading to cross-patient contamination orimproper attachment. Moreover, because the reusable circuit is severablefrom the attachment mechanism, operators are free to use attachmentmechanisms that are either unsafe or improper with regard to aparticular type of reusable circuitry.

Based on the foregoing, significant and costly drawbacks exist inconventional disposable and reusable oximetry sensors. Thus, a needexists for an oximetry sensor that incorporates the advantages found inthe disposable and reusable sensors, without the respectivedisadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide areusable/disposable (resposable) sensor having a disposable adhesivetape component that can be removed from other reusable sensorcomponents. This hybrid sensor combines the longevity and associatedcost advantages of the reusable sensor with the performance features ofthe disposable.

In one embodiment of the resposable sensor, the disposable tape includesan information element along with a mechanism for the electricalconnection of the information element to the emitters. The informationelement provides an indication to an attached oximeter of variousaspects of the sensor.

According to another embodiment, the information element provides anindication of the sensor type. According to yet another embodiment, theinformation element provides an indication of the operatingcharacteristics of the sensor. In yet another embodiment, theinformation element provides security and quality control. For instance,the information element advantageously indicates that the sensor is froman authorized supplier.

According to yet another embodiment, the information element isadvantageously located in the disposable portion and configured to be incommunication with the reusable portion via a breakable conductor. Thebreakable conductor is also located within the disposable portion suchthat excessive wear of the disposable portion results in isolation ofthe information element, thereby indicating that the disposable portionshould be replaced. Moreover, the information element may comprise oneor more passive or active components, ranging from a single codingresistor to an active circuit, such as a transistor network, a memorydevice, or a central processing component.

Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is a pulse oximetrysensor including a reusable portion having an emitter configured totransmit light through tissue, a detector configured to receive lightfrom tissue, a first contact, an external connector configured to attachto a monitor, and electrical circuitry configured to provide electricalcommunications to and from the external connector, the emitter, thedetector and the first contact. The pulse oximetry sensor also includesa disposable portion configured to attach the reusable portion to thetissue. The disposable portion has an information element, a breakableconductor, and a second contact electrically connecting the informationelement and the breakable conductor, the second contact configured tocreate an electrical connection to the first contact when the disposableportion is combined with the reusable portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is a resposable sensor fornoninvasively measuring a physiological parameter in tissue. Theresposable sensor includes a reusable portion and a disposable portion.The disposable portion has at least one of an information element and aconductor electrically connected to the reusable portion. Moreover, thedisposable portion is configured to secure the reusable portion to ameasurement site.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of providingdisposable oximeter sensor elements. The method includes forming adisposable housing configured to receive a reusable electronic circuit.The method also includes forming at least one of an information elementand a conductor associated with the disposable housing and configured tobe disconnected from the reusable electronic circuit when the disposablehousing is damaged, overused, or repeatedly attached.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of providingreusable oximeter sensor elements. This includes forming a reusableelectronic circuit configured to electrically connect with electroniccomponents of a disposable housing and to employ the disposable housingfor attachment to a measurement site.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of measuring atissue characteristic. This method includes creating a sensor throughcombining reusable electronic circuitry with a first disposable materialsuch that an electrical connection is made between the reusableelectronic circuitry and electronic components associated with the firstdisposable material. Moreover, the method includes attaching the sensorto a measurement site, removing the sensor, separating the reusableelectronic circuitry from the first disposable material, and recombiningthe reusable electronic circuitry with a second disposable material.

Another aspect of the present invention is a pulse oximeter having asensor including a reusable portion and a disposable portion. Thedisposable portion includes an information element electricallyconnected to the reusable portion through a breakable conductor. Thebreakable conductor is configured to electrically disconnect theinformation element from the reusable portion in the event of overuse,damage, or excessive reattachment of the disposable portion. Moreover,the pulse oximeter includes a monitor, and a cable for connecting thesensor to the monitor.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a pulse oximeter sensorelement having a disposable material that incorporates electroniccomponents. The disposable material is configured to removably receivereusable oximeter sensor elements such that the electronic componentselectrically connect with the reusable oximeter sensor elements.Moreover, the disposable material is configured to secure the reusableoximeter sensor elements to a measurement site.

Another aspect of the present invention is a pulse oximeter sensorelement including reusable electronic circuitry configured toelectrically connect with electronic components of a disposable materialand to employ the disposable material for attachment to a measurementsite.

Another aspect of the present invention is a resposable sensor formeasuring a tissue aspect. The resposable sensor includes a face tape, abase tape removably attached to the face tape, and reusable measurementcircuitry removably secured between the face tape and the base tape. Thereusable measurement circuitry is also configured to connect to anexternal monitor and configured to measure an aspect of tissue at ameasurement site. Moreover, the face tape includes at least one of aninformation element and a breakable conductor connected to the reusablemeasurement circuitry when the reusable measurement circuitry is securedto the face tape.

Another aspect of the present invention is a resposable sensor having areusable emitter and detector removably connected to a patient cable.The resposable sensor also includes a replaceable envelope havingelectronic circuitry configured to attach to the reusable emitter anddetector such that the electronic circuitry monitors at least onecharacteristic of the resposable sensor. Moreover, the replaceableenvelope is configured to removably receive the reusable emitter anddetector and configured to secure the reusable emitter and detector to ameasurement site.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a pulse oximetry sensorhaving an emitter, a detector and a connector. The emitter is configuredto transmit light through tissue and the detector is configured toreceive light from tissue to measure a physiological parameter. Further,the connector is configured to provide electrical communications betweenthe detector and emitter and a monitor. The pulse oximetry sensorincludes a reusable portion having the emitter, the detector, theconnector and a first contact in communication with the connector.Moreover, the sensor includes a disposable portion having a secondcontact, an information element and a conductive element disposed on anadhesive substrate configured to secure the reusable portion to ameasurement site. The disposable portion removably attaches to thereusable portion in a first position such that the first contactcontacts the second contact. The disposable portion detaches from thereusable portion in a second position. Also, the conductive element hasa continuity condition connecting the information element to the secondcontact so that the information element is in communication with theconnector. The conductive element has a discontinuity conditionisolating the information element from the second contact and theconnector. The discontinuity condition results from use of thedisposable portion substantially beyond a predetermined amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of a conventional disposable sensorhaving an information element.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of the conventionaldisposable sensor.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a resposable sensor having twodisposable tape layers, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one of the disposable tape layers ofFIG. 3 incorporating an information element.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of one of the disposable tape layers ofFIG. 3 incorporating a breakable conductor.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross-sectional views of a portion of thedisposable tape layer of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of one of the disposable tape layers ofFIG. 3 incorporating the information element with a breakable conductor.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a top view and a side view, respectively, ofone of the disposable layers of FIG. 3 configured as a fold-over tape.

FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of a resposable sensor having adisposable portion configured as a tape sleeve and a reusable portiondirectly attached to a patient cable, according to another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates a perspective view of a resposable sensor having areusable portion removably attached to a patient cable, according toanother embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The configuration of an information element for an oximeter sensor andmethod of reading an information element with an attached oximeter isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,644, assigned to the assignee of thecurrent application, and incorporated by reference herein. Accordingly,the configuration and the implementation of an information element willbe greatly summarized as follows.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional oximeter sensor circuit 100. Theoximeter sensor circuit 100 includes an emitter 105 comprising a firstLED 107 and a second LED 110. The oximeter sensor circuit furtherincludes an information element comprising a resistor 115. The first LED107, the second LED 110 and the resistor 115 are connected in parallel.The parallel connection has a common input electrical connection 120 anda common return 125. The oximeter sensor circuit 100 also includes aphotodetector 130 having an input electrical connection 135 connected toone end and having the common return 125 connected to the other end.

As mentioned, the resistor 115 is provided as an information elementthat can be read by an attached oximeter. In order to read the resistor115, the oximeter drives the oximeter sensor circuit 100 at a levelwhere the emitter 105 draws effectively insignificant current. As iswell understood in the art, the emitter 105 becomes active only ifdriven at a voltage above a threshold level. Thus, at this low level,significantly all of the current through the input electrical connection120 flows through the resistor 115. By reducing the drive voltage acrossthe input electrical connection 120 and common return 125 to a lowenough level to not activate the emitter 105, the emitter 105 iseffectively removed from the oximeter sensor circuit 100. Thus, theoximeter can determine the value of the resistor 115.

The value of the resistor 115 can be preselected to indicate, forexample, the type of sensor (e.g., adult, pediatric, or neonatal), theoperating wavelength, or other parameters about the sensor. The resistor115 may also be utilized for security and quality control purposes. Forexample, the resistor 115 may be used to ensure that the oximeter sensorcircuit 100 is configured properly for a given oximeter. For instance,the resistor 115 may be utilized to indicate that the oximeter sensorcircuit 100 is from an authorized supplier.

An information element other than the resistor 115 may also be utilized.The information element need not be a passive device. Coding informationmay also be provided through an active circuit, such as a transistornetwork, memory chip, or other identification device.

Furthermore, it will be understood by a skilled artisan that a number ofdifferent circuit configurations can be implemented that allow theoximeter sensor circuit 100 to include an information element. Forexample, the emitter 105 and the information element may each haveindividual electrical connections.

As mentioned above, the resistor 115 is preselected such that at lowdrive voltages, it is the only circuit element sensed by the oximeter.On the other hand, the resistor 115 can also be preselected be of asufficiently high value that when the drive voltage rises to a levelsufficient to drive the emitter 105, the resistor 115 is effectivelyremoved from the oximeter sensor circuit 100. Thus, the resistor 115does not affect normal operations of the emitter 105. In summary, aninformation element may form an integral part of the oximeter sensorcircuit 100 by providing valuable information to the attached oximeter.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a conventional disposable sensor 200. Thedisposable sensor 200 includes an adhesive substrate 205 having anelongated center portion 210 with front and rear flaps, 215 and 220,extending outward from the elongated center portion 210. The adhesivesubstrate 205 may also have an image 225 superimposed on the adhesivesubstrate 205 so as to indicate proper use.

The elongated center portion 210 includes the oximeter sensor circuit100 of FIG. 1. For example, the emitter 105 is housed on an underside ofthe elongated center portion 210 approximately beneath the superimposedimage 225. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2A, the emitter 105 may be housedapproximately beneath the asterisk superimposed on the image of afingernail. On the other hand, the photodetector 130 is housed on thetopside of the elongated center portion 210 in proximity with the rearflaps 220.

The elongated center portion 210 further includes an electricalconnector 230 to drive the emitter 105 and to receive an output from thephotodetector 130. The electrical connector 230 is preferably configuredto attach to a connector cable 235 via a sensor connector 240. Also, theconnector cable 235 attaches to or connects with an oximeter via anoximeter connector 245.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of how the disposable sensor 200 wrapsthe front and rear flaps 215 and 220 around a finger such that theadhesive substrate 205 provides a secure contact between the patient'sskin, the emitter 105 and the photodetector 130. FIG. 2B alsoillustrates an example of the sensor connector 240 (shown in brokenlines) encompassing the electrical connector 230.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2B, the conventional disposable sensor 200integrates the components of the conventional oximeter sensor circuit100 such that disposal of the disposable sensor 200 includes disposal ofthe longer lasting, expensive circuitry found therein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a resposable(reusable/disposable) sensor 300 according to the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the resposable sensor 300 includes a reusable portion305 having an emitter 306, a photodetector 307 and an electricalconnector 308. The resposable sensor also includes a disposable portion310 having a face tape layer 315 and a clear base tape layer 320. Asshown in FIG. 3, the disposable portion 310 attaches to the reusableportion 305 by sandwiching the reusable portion 305 between a face tapelayer 315 and a clear base tape layer 320.

According to this embodiment, conventional adhesives or other attachingmethodology may be used to removably attach the face tape layer 315 tothe clear base tape layer 320. Furthermore, the adhesive propertiesassociated with the base of the conventional disposable sensor 200 maybe the same as the adhesive properties on the base of the clear basetape layer 320, as both portions are provided to attach to the patient'sskin.

As mentioned, the disposable portion 310 removably attaches to thereusable portion 305 in, for example, a sandwich or layered style. Afterremovably attaching the disposable portion 310 to the reusable portion305, the resposable sensor 300 functions similar to the disposablesensor 200, i.e., the resposable sensor 300 wraps flaps around apatient's tissue such that the emitter 306 and the photodetector 307align on opposite sides of the tissue. However, in contrast to thedisposable sensor 200, the resposable sensor 300 provides for reuse ofthe reusable portion 305. For example, when the disposable portion 310becomes contaminated, worn, or defective, rather than discarding theentire resposable sensor 300, the disposable portion 310 is removed suchthat the reusable portion 305 may be re-removably attached to a newdisposable portion 310. The discarding of the disposable portion 310completely avoids cross-contamination through the reuse of adhesivetapes between patients without wasting the more costly and longerlasting sensor circuitry of the resposable portion 305. Note thatoptional sterilization procedures may be advantageously performed on thereusable portion 305 before reattachment to either the new disposableportion 310 or to the patient, in order to further ensure patientsafety.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the face tape layer315 of the disposable portion 310 of the resposable sensor 300.According to this embodiment, the face tape layer 315 further includesan information element 405 as an integral part of the face tape layer315. In this embodiment, the information element 405 is a resistiveelement made by depositing a conductive ink trace having a predeterminedlength and width. As is known in the art, the length, width andconductivity of the conductive ink trace determines the resistance ofthe resistive element. The information element 405 is deposited betweencontacts 410 that are also implemented with conductive ink. It will beunderstood by a skilled artisan that a variety of methods can be usedfor mating the contacts 410 with the electrical circuitry of thereusable portion 305. For example, the contacts 410 may advantageouslyphysically touch the leads or the electrical connector 308 such that thereusable portion 305 is electrically configured to include theinformation element 405. Such a configuration employs the oximetersensor circuit 100 of FIG. 1, having elements thereof distributed inboth the reusable portion 305 and the disposable portion 310 of theresposable sensor 300.

In the foregoing embodiment, the disposable portion 310 comprises theinformation element 405 along with the face tape layer 315 and the clearbase layer 320. As mentioned, the disposable portion 310 is removablyattached to the reusable portion 305 and is employed in a similar manneras the disposable sensor 200. In contrast to the disposable sensor 200,when the disposable portion 310 of the resposable sensor 300 becomesworn, the disposable portion 310 and the information element 405 arediscarded and the reusable portion 305 is saved. By discarding theinformation element, the attached oximeter can perform quality control.For example, if the reusable portion 305 is reattached to a patientusing either a simple adhesive or any other non-authorized disposablemechanism, the resposable sensor 300 will not include the informationelement 405. As mentioned above, an attached oximeter can recognize theabsence of the information element 405 and create an appropriateresponse indicating inappropriate use of the reusable portion 305 of theresposable sensor 300.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment of the face tapelayer 315 of the disposable portion 310 of the resposable sensor 300. Inthis embodiment, the face tape layer 315 includes a breakable conductor505 comprising a conductive ink trace located approximately along theperiphery of the face tape layer 315. This location ensures that a tearalong the periphery of the face tape layer 315 results in a tear, orelectrical discontinuity, in the breakable conductor 505. For example,FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the face tape layer 315 in which thebreakable conductor 505 is layered between a tape stock 605 and a tapebase 610. The reusable portion 305 of the resposable sensor 300 thenattaches to the tape base 610 through a pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA) 615. The PSA 615, the conductor 505 and the tape base 610 includea score 620 such that multiple attachment and removal of the resposablesensor 300 will result in a peripheral tear, or electricaldiscontinuity, in the breakable conductor 505, as illustrated in FIG.6B.

Thus, like the information element 405, the breakable conductor 505 alsoprovides security and quality control functions. In particular, repeateduse of the disposable portion 305 of the resposable sensor 300advantageously severs at least one part of the breakable conductor 505.An attached oximeter can detect such severance and initiate anappropriate notification to, for example, monitoring medical personnel.Providing security and quality control through a breakable conductoradvantageously assists in controlling problems with patientcontamination or improper attachment due to weakened adhesives.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the face tape layer 315. Inthis embodiment, the face tape layer 315 combines the breakableconductor 505 and the information element 405. In this embodiment, thebreakable conductor 505 is printed in a serpentine pattern to furtherincrease the probability of a discontinuity upon the tearing of anyportion of the face tape layer 315. This combination of the informationelement 405 and the breakable conductor 505 advantageously addssignificant safety features. For example, in this embodiment, theinformation element 405 is connected serially with the breakableconductor 505 and in parallel with the emitter 306 of the reusableportion 305. Therefore, any discontinuity or tear in the breakableconductor 505 separates the information element 405 from the circuitryof the reusable portion 305.

According to the foregoing embodiment, the attached oximeter receives anindication of both overuse and misuse of the resposable sensor 300. Forexample, overuse is detected through the tearing and breaking of thebreakable conductor 505, thereby removing the information element 405from the resposable sensor 300 circuitry. In addition, misuse throughemployment of disposable portions 310 from unauthorized vendors isdetected through the absence of the information element 405. Moreover,misuse from purposeful shorting of the contacts 410 is detected byeffectively removing the emitter 306 from the circuit, thereby renderingthe resposable sensor 300 inoperative. Therefore, the resposable sensor300 of this embodiment advantageously provides a multitude of problemindicators to the attached oximeter. By doing so, the resposable sensor300 advantageously prevents the likelihood of contamination, adhesivefailure, and misuse. The resposable sensor 300 also advantageouslymaintains the likelihood of quality control.

A skilled artisan will recognize that the concepts of FIGS. 3-7 may becombined in total or in part in a wide variety of devices. For example,either or both of the breakable conductor 505 and the informationelement 405 may advantageously be traced into the clear base tape layer320 rather than into the face tape layer 315.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate yet another embodiment of the disposableportion 310 of the resposable sensor 300 according to the presentinvention. As shown in this embodiment, the disposable portion 310includes a face tape layer 805 and a clear base tape layer 810.According to this embodiment, the clear base tape layer 810 includes apreattached section 815 and a fold over section 820. The preattachedsection 815 attaches approximately one third of the face tape layer 805to the clear base tape layer 810. On the other hand, the fold oversection 820 forms a flap configured to create a cavity between the facetape layer 805 and the clear base tape layer 810. The cavity isconfigured to receive the reusable portion 305 of the resposable sensor300. According to one embodiment, a release liner 825 fills the cavityand separates the face tape layer 805 from the clear base tape layer810. When the release liner 825 is removed, newly exposed adhesive onthe fold over section 820 and the face tape layer 805 removably attachesthe reusable portion 305 between the face tape layer 805 and fold oversection 820 of the clear base tape layer 810.

According to another embodiment, the cavity is so formed that adhesiveis not needed. For example, the fold over section 820 may compriseresilient material that can form a friction fit relationship so as tofix the reusable portion 305 in an appropriate position relative to thedisposable portion 310. On the other hand, the fold over section 820 mayalso comprise material having other than resilient or adhesiveproperties, but still allow for proper placement of the reusable portion305 and disposable portion 310 on the patient. For example,hook-and-loop type materials like VELCRO® may be used.

It will be understood that a skilled artisan would recognize that thefold over embodiment of the responsible sensor 300 may employ theproperties discussed in relation to FIGS. 3-7, such as the informationelement 405 and the breakable wire 505.

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a resposable sensor 900 integratedwith an attached patient cable 905, according to another embodiment ofthe invention. In this embodiment, a disposable portion 910 is attachedto a reusable portion 915 by removably inserting the reusable portion915 into a tape envelope 920 formed in the disposable portion 910.

A skilled artisan will recognize that the disposable portion 910 mayinclude the information element 405, the breakable wire 505, or both.Inclusion of one or both of these electronic components in theresposable sensor 900 advantageously provides the security, qualitycontrol, and safety features described in the foregoing embodiments.

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of a resposable sensor 300 of FIG. 3,according to another embodiment of the invention. According to thisembodiment, the resposable sensor 300 removably attaches to the patientcable 905 via a sensor connector 925. The patient cable 905 thenattaches to an oximeter via an oximeter connector 930. Use of the sensorconnector 925 enables the replacement of both the reusable portion 305of the resposable sensor 300 without replacement of the sensor connector925 or patient cable 905. In such an embodiment, the disposable portion310 would follow a different, more frequent, replacement schedule thanthat of the reusable portion 305.

A skilled artisan will recognize that the variety of configurationsdescribed above that include the information element 405, the breakablewire 505, or both, may be incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 9B.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. For example, select aspects of FIGS. 3-9B maybe combined. For example, the envelope configured disposable portion 910of FIG. 9A may be combined with the reusable portion 305 of FIG. 3.

Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions andmodifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of thedisclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended tobe limited by the reaction of the preferred embodiments, but is to bedefined by reference to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pulse oximetry sensor comprising: a reusableportion comprising an emitter configured to transmit light throughtissue, a detector configured to receive light from tissue, a firstcontact, an external connector configured to attach to a monitor, andelectrical circuitry configured to provide electrical communications toand from the external connector, the emitter, the detector and the firstcontact; and a disposable portion configured to attach the reusableportion to the tissue, the disposable portion comprising an informationelement; a breakable conductor, and a second contact electricallyconnecting the information element and the breakable conductor, thesecond contact configured to create an electrical connection to thefirst contact when the disposable portion is combined with the reusableportion.
 2. A resposable sensor for noninvasively measuring aphysiological parameter in tissue, the resposable sensor comprising: areusable portion comprising an emitter and a detector; and a disposableportion comprising at least one of an information element and aconductor electrically connected to the reusable portion, wherein thedisposable portion is configured to secure the reusable portion to ameasurement site.
 3. The resposable sensor according to claim 2, whereinthe disposable portion is removably attached to the reusable portionwith adhesive.
 4. A method of providing disposable oximeter sensorelements, the method comprising: forming a disposable housing configuredto receive a reusable electronic circuit; and forming a conductor tracewithin the disposable housing, the conductor trace configured to causean electrical disconnect when the disposable housing is damaged,overused, or repeatedly attached.
 5. A method of providing reusableoximeter sensor elements, the method comprising forming a reusableelectronic circuit comprising an emitter and a detector, the reusableelectronic circuit being configured to electrically connect withelectronic components of a disposable housing and to employ thedisposable housing for attachment to a measurement site.
 6. A method ofreusing costly circuitry of a sensor while reducing patientcross-contamination, the method comprising: creating a sensor throughcombining reusable electronic circuitry comprising an emitter and adetector, with a first disposable material such that an electricalconnection is made between the reusable electronic circuitry andelectronic components associated with the first disposable material;attaching the sensor to a measurement site; removing the sensor;separating the reusable electronic circuitry from the first disposablematerial; and recombining the reusable electronic circuitry with asecond disposable material.
 7. The method according to claim 6, whereinthe step of creating a sensor includes electrically connecting aconductor employed in the first disposable material to the reusableelectronic circuitry, wherein the conductor is configured to break uponoveruse of the first disposable material.
 8. A pulse oximetercomprising: a sensor comprising a reusable portion, and a disposableportion including a breakable conductor electrically connected to thereusable portion, the breakable conductor configured to cause anelectrical disconnect in the event of overuse, damage, or excessivereattachment of the disposable portion; a monitor; and a cable forconnecting the sensor to the monitor.
 9. The pulse oximeter according toclaim 8, wherein the disposable portion comprises a removable layeredstructure comprising at least one layer above the reusable portion andone layer below the reusable portion before application of the sensor toa measurement site, such that the removable layered structure isconfigured to secure the sensor to the measurement site.
 10. The pulseoximeter according to claim 8, wherein the disposable portion comprisesan envelope configured to receive the reusable portion beforeapplication of the sensor to a measurement site, and wherein thedisposable portion is configured to secure the sensor to the measurementsite.
 11. The pulse oximeter according to claim 8, wherein thedisposable portion comprises a folded portion configured to receive thereusable portion before application of the sensor to a measurement site,and wherein the folded portion is configured to secure the sensor to themeasurement site.
 12. A pulse oximeter comprising: a sensor comprising areusable portion, and a disposable portion including an informationelement electrically connected to the reusable portion through abreakable conductor, the breakable conductor configured to electricallydisconnect the information element from the reusable portion in theevent of overuse, damage, or excessive reattachment of the disposableportion; a monitor; and a cable for connecting the sensor to themonitor, wherein the reusable portion further comprises an emitter and adetector.
 13. A pulse oximeter sensor element comprising a disposablematerial incorporating electronic components, wherein the disposablematerial is configured to removably receive reusable oximeter sensorelements comprising an emitter and a detector, such that the electroniccomponents electrically connect with the reusable oximeter sensorelements, and wherein the disposable material is configured to securethe reusable oximeter sensor elements to a measurement site.
 14. Thepulse oximeter sensor element according to claim 13, wherein theelectronic components include a breakable conductor.
 15. A pulseoximeter sensor element comprising reusable electronic circuitrycomprising an emitter and a detector, wherein the reusable electroniccircuitry is configured to electrically connect with electroniccomponents of a disposable housing and to employ the disposable materialfor attachment to a measurement site.
 16. A resposable sensor formeasuring a tissue aspect, the resposable sensor comprising: a facetape; a base tape removably attached to the face tape; and reusablemeasurement circuitry including at least one emitter and a detector,wherein the reusable measurement circuitry is removably secured betweenthe face tape and the base tape, is configured to connect to an externalmonitor, and is configured to measure an aspect of tissue at ameasurement site, wherein the face tape further includes at least one ofan information element and a breakable conductor connected to thereusable measurement circuitry when the reusable measurement circuitryis secured to the face tape.
 17. The resposable sensor according toclaim 16, wherein the conductor traces the periphery of the face tapesuch that a discontinuity in the face tape isolates the informationelement from the reusable measurement circuitry.
 18. The resposablesensor according to claim 16, wherein the information element comprisesat least one of a resistor, a transistor network, a memory device, and acentral processing unit.
 19. A resposable sensor comprising: a reusableemitter and detector removably connected to a patient cable, and areplaceable envelope comprising electronic circuitry configured toattach to the reusable emitter and detector such that the electroniccircuitry monitors at least one characteristic of the resposable sensor,wherein the replaceable envelope is also configured to removably receivethe reusable emitter and detector and configured to secure the reusableemitter and detector to a measurement site.
 20. A pulse oximetry sensorcomprising: a reusable portion comprising an emitter, a detector, aconnector configured to provide communication between the detector and amonitor and the emitter and the monitor, and a first contact incommunication with the connector; and a disposable portion comprising asecond contact, and an information element and a conductive elementdisposed on an adhesive substrate configured to secure the reusableportion to a measurement site, the disposable portion removably attachedto the reusable portion in a first position such that the first contactcontacts the second contact, and detached from the reusable portion in asecond position, the conductive element comprising a continuitycondition connecting the information element to the second contact sothat the information element is in communications with the connector anda discontinuity condition isolating the information element from thesecond contact and the connector, the discontinuity condition resultingform use of the disposable portion substantially beyond a predeterminedamount.
 21. The method of claim 4, wherein the disposable housingfurther comprises a cavity configured to receive the reusable electroniccircuit before application of the disposable housing to a measurementsite.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the cavity is at leastpartially formed by a fold over portion initially covered by releaseliner, thereby protecting the cavity until the reusable electroniccircuit is received therein.
 23. The method of claim 4, wherein thedisposable housing further comprises an envelope configured to receivethe reusable electronic circuit before application of the disposablehousing to a measurement site.
 24. The method of claim 5, wherein theelectronic components comprise a breakable conductor which causes anopen circuit when the breakable conductor is broken.